“Santa Cruz Reports 567 Cases of At-Risk Minors in 2023”

The Municipal Institute for Social Care (IMAS) of Santa Cruz City Council received a total of 567 notifications last year regarding potential situations of inadequate protection for at-risk minors and adolescents. Alerts were received from various sources including schools, relatives, health facilities, hospitals, the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office, and the General Directorate for the Protection of Children and the Family of the Government of the Canary Islands, prompting Social Services teams to evaluate cases for possible intervention. A total of 212 preliminary investigations were initiated, resulting in 342 assessments, which were added to the 492 actions from previous years.
Additionally, 66 notifications concerning possible instances of neglect, risk, violence, or sexual abuse were started, leading to the declaration of 43 cases (23 involving boys and 20 involving girls). Measures to cease risk were enacted for 34 minors. Furthermore, 43 family intervention plans were enacted to identify protective measures, revealing a total of 21 proposals for neglect.
These statistics derive from the II Municipal Plan for the Care of Children, Adolescents, and Families of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2023. “One of the fundamental aspects of child care in the municipality aims not only to avert risk situations within this demographic, but it also represents a commitment to UNESCO, as the capital is recognised as a Child-Friendly City, promoting their involvement in all matters pertinent to them,” states the mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez.
Consequently, among the measures implemented in this plan in 2023, aligned with the rights of children to be valued and treated equitably, IMAS initiated actions aimed at raising awareness of children’s rights and responsibilities, facilitating 81 training sessions in 15 educational establishments with the involvement of 1,518 minors.
In terms of the right to be heard, the City Council approved the establishment of the Municipal Council for Children and Adolescents, alongside the creation of new platforms to address the viewpoints of children and adolescents more comprehensively, through 77 initiatives such as Participatory Budgets, the Anaga Day Service, and the III Tenerife Island Social Forum for Children.
Moreover, specific educational programmes aimed at families were championed, providing care for 40 minors through Anaga’s Day Services. Two assessment committees were convened to review the outcomes.